Albin Kleingartner

Albin Eldo Kleingartner, 91, Gackle, ND went to be with Jesus on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Gackle Care Center.

Albin was born Southwest of Gackle, ND on October 27, 1932,to Balzer and Olga (Schlenker) Kleingartner. He was three years old and one of six little boys in his family when his mother passed away shortly after giving birth to twin boys, Norman and Norbert. His father then remarried Martha Milleron June 9, 1936, and Albin’s family grew by four more siblings, bringing the total to 10. While growing up, he attended the local schoolhouse in the area while helping on the family farm. 

Albin met the love of his life, Joyce Spilloway, in the early 1950s, and they were married on June 5, 1955, in Gackle, ND.They made their home on the Kleingartner Farm south of Gackle until moving into Gackle in 1965, when Albin started Al’s Feed Grinding Service. They were blessed with two children, Laurie and Ross, and in 1975 Albin and Joyce purchased the farm from John and Leontine Spilloway (Joyce’s parents), where they milked cows and ran a beef cow herd. They moved back to Gackle in 1994 when Ross and Sue purchased the farm to have their turn at running the place. Thiswas technically their retirement, but you could still find Albin out at the farm every day feeding cows, cutting hay, or enjoyinghis favorite pastime, hauling bales. A majority of the time he could be found in the 7410-loader tractor right behind the baler, grabbing the bale while it was still rolling. Albin and Joyce lived in their home in Gackle for 21 wonderful years together and enjoyed frequent visits from grandkids, relatives, and out-of-state hunters that would become great friends. Joyce passed away in 2015 and Albin continued to live at home until moving into the Gackle Care Center in April of 2021.

Albin was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle,along with being a past Council Member. He was also a past member of the Logan County Historical Board, Logan County Farm Bureau Board, the Gackle Wildlife Club, and he was a township supervisor. 

Though he enjoyed many years on the farm caring for the land and animals, spending time with his family was what he loved most. He was a great companion to his sweetheart Joyce, a loving and caring father, and the best grandpa anyone could ask for. He and Joyce enjoyed taking Sunday drives in the country after church, and would often be accompanied by a grandchild, who undoubtedly would be slightly annoyed by the polka music constantly on his radio. After Joyce passed away, the Sunday drives in the car turned into drives around town in his John Deere golf cart. There is an incredible lesson of perseverance and positivity that can be learned from Ablin and the people of this generation. Their life was by no means easy and even though the deck was stacked against them at times, they leaned on their family and trusted in the Lord to see them through. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but can rejoice in the fact that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior, and we will see him in Heaven again someday. 

Albin is survived by his 2 children, Laurie (Darcy) Pfaff, Jamestown, ND and Ross (Sue) Kleingartner, Gackle, ND; 4 grandchildren, John (Jessie) Pfaff, Jacie (Jared) Volk, LaneKleingartner, Sydney Kleingartner; 4 great-grandchildren, Cort Pfaff, Claire Pfaff, Ryker Volk and Ivy Volk; half-brothers, Melvin ‘Pete’ (Sharon) Kleingartner and Edwin (Sharon)Kleingartner; half-sisters Helen Kleingartner and Lillian Ward and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce of 59 years; parents; and brothers, Norman, Gordon, Rupert, Irvin and Norbert.